Car Defect Radar
Get the report
Built from NHTSA complaints and recalls collected for this model, generated October 26, 2026. Totals reflect what has been collected, not every complaint ever filed.
Confirm 4 recalls before you buy.

Ask the seller for proof the repair was completed, or run the free VIN check. Recall repairs are done at no cost by a dealer.

Recalls

4 total · 4 to confirm

Safety issues the manufacturer must repair for free. A recall means confirm the fix was done, not walk away.

Electrical system recall

Confirm it was repairedRecall 23V337000 · May 2023

An electrical short-circuit can increase the risk of a fire.

Remedy
Dealers will inspect the sunroof drains, interior footwell area, and FRM and, depending upon the results of the inspection, certain components will be replaced. Owner notification letters were mailed May 13, 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-866-825-1525.
Status
Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
What to do
Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.

Engine recall

Confirm it was repairedRecall 18V248000 · Apr 2018

If the circuit board were to overheat, it can increase the risk of a fire.

Remedy
BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the electric auxiliary water pump, free of charge. Depending on the model, there are currently limited parts available, however not all parts are available at this time. Owners will be notified of the recall beginning June 11, 2018, and will receive a second notification when remedy parts become available. Owners may contact BMW customer service at BMW 1-800-525-7417, MINI at 1-866-825-1525, or Rolls-Royce at 1-877-877-3735. Note: BMW recommends that owners park their vehicle outdoors until the recall remedy has been performed.
Status
Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
What to do
Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.

Engine recall

Confirm it was repairedRecall 12V008000 · Jan 2012

THE CIRCUIT BOARD MAY SMOLDER WHICH COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE FIRE.

Remedy
BMW WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WATER PUMP FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGANDURING FEBRUARY 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW AT 1-866-275-6464.
Status
Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
What to do
Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.

Safety recall

Confirm it was repairedRecall 09V474000 · Dec 2009

ERRONEOUS TIRE INFORMATION COULD LEAD TO IMPROPER TIRE FITMENT AND INFLATION WHICH COULD AFFECT THE DURABILITY OF THE TIRE AND THE STABILITY OF THE VEHICLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy
DEALERS WILL MAIL TO CONSUMERS THE CORRECTED LABEL OR THE CUSTOMER WILL HAVE THE OPTION FOR DEALERS TO INSTALL THE LABEL FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 4, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117.
Status
Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
What to do
Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.

Owner complaints by system

59 total

Unverified reports owners filed with NHTSA, grouped by the part of the car. Useful for spotting patterns. Open a group to read recent examples.

Engine & powertrain

Worth reading
50

Most reports here involve sudden stalling. Of these, 3 mention an injury.

sudden stalling 16premature wear 14fluid leaks 8
A recent report: The contact owns a 2010 Mini Cooper S. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal clicking sound coming from the engine compartment, after which the vehicle…
Read full complaint

The contact owns a 2010 Mini Cooper S. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal clicking sound coming from the engine compartment, after which the vehicle lost motive power. The contact was able to pull over to the shoulder of the roadway, where the vehicle was able to be restarted. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11649587 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Electrical & infotainment

Worth reading
1

Most reports here involve fire.

fire 1
A recent report: MI VEHCULO MINI COOPER S 2010, ESTANDO ESTACIONADO EN EL GARAGE POR MS DE 12 HORAS Y SIN PRENDER EL MOTOR EN NINGN MOMENTO COMENZ A INCENDIARSE SIN NINGN MOTIVO. POR FORTUNA HABA PERSONAS QUE…
Read full complaint

MI VEHCULO MINI COOPER S 2010, ESTANDO ESTACIONADO EN EL GARAGE POR MS DE 12 HORAS Y SIN PRENDER EL MOTOR EN NINGN MOMENTO COMENZ A INCENDIARSE SIN NINGN MOTIVO. POR FORTUNA HABA PERSONAS QUE ALERTARAN DE LO OCURRIDO Y PUDE APAGAR EL FUEGO EN EL VEHCULO, AUNQUE YA HABA CONSUMIDO PARTES ELCTRICA, DE MOTOR Y COFRE, ETC. CABE MENCIONAR QUE ESTO SUCEDI EN LA CIUDAD DE MXICO, NO EN EUA, PERO USTEDES TIENEN MEJOR INFORMACIN AL RESPECTO. SALUDOS.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11310103 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Brakes

Worth reading
1

Most reports here involve rollaway. Of these, 1 mention a crash.

rollaway 1
A recent report: PARKING BRAKE ON 2010 MINI COOPER S DID NOT HOLD ON SLIGHT INCLINE. CAR ROLLED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE AND CAUSED EXTENSIVE DAMAGE. WITNESSES CONFIRM THAT THE PARKING BRAKE WAS FULLY ENGAGED AT THE TIME…
Read full complaint

PARKING BRAKE ON 2010 MINI COOPER S DID NOT HOLD ON SLIGHT INCLINE. CAR ROLLED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE AND CAUSED EXTENSIVE DAMAGE. WITNESSES CONFIRM THAT THE PARKING BRAKE WAS FULLY ENGAGED AT THE TIME OF ACCIDENT. *TR

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #10361533 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Steering, suspension & tires

Minor
1

Most reports here involve other issues.

other issues 1
A recent report: I HAVE OWNED THIS VEHICLE FOR 1 YEAR AND THREE MONTHS. I DID NOT HAVE THE CHOICE OF SELECTING ANY OTHER TIRE. MINI COOPER( BMW) PUT RUN FLATS ON VEHICLE BECAUSE THERE IS NO WHERE FOR A SPARE TIRE. I…
Read full complaint

I HAVE OWNED THIS VEHICLE FOR 1 YEAR AND THREE MONTHS. I DID NOT HAVE THE CHOICE OF SELECTING ANY OTHER TIRE. MINI COOPER( BMW) PUT RUN FLATS ON VEHICLE BECAUSE THERE IS NO WHERE FOR A SPARE TIRE. I KEEP THE VEHICLE IN THE GARAGE AT A CONDO IN FLORIDA WITH NO ACCESS TO ANYONE. I HAVE 4250 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. I HAVE HAD THREE FLATS. MINI RELATED THAT I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO BUY A TIRE AND SUSPENSION WARRANTY WHEN NEW FOR 800.00 PLUS DOLLARS. I CAN'T REMEMBER THE LAST TIME I HAD ONE FLAT ON ANY OTHER VEHICLE. MY WIFE OR I HAVE USED THIS VEHICLE FOR LESS THAN 5 MONTHS AND THIS IS THE THIRD FLAT. MINI DENIES ANY DEFICIENCIES WITH THE TIRES BUT I DON'T BELIEVE THEM. THIS AVERAGES OUT TO A FLAT ABOUT EVERY 1400 MILES. MY FATHER GOT BETTER MILEAGE OUT OF RETREADS. STATISTICALLY IT SEEMS SIGNIFICANT AND THERE IS A DEFECT. PLEASE INVESTIGATE AND RESPOND. *TR

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #10447084 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Airbags & seat belts

Minor
6

Most reports here involve airbags not deploying.

airbags not deploying 4software faults 1electrical shorts 1
A recent report: THE PASSENGER AIRBAG SENSOR/PASSENGER SEATBELT SENSOR ISSUE THAT HAS BEEN REPORTED AND FIXED IN LOTS OF OTHER MINI COOPER MODEL YEARS IS SEEMINGLY AN ISSUE WITH 2010 MODELS TOO AND NEEDS TO BE…
Read full complaint

THE PASSENGER AIRBAG SENSOR/PASSENGER SEATBELT SENSOR ISSUE THAT HAS BEEN REPORTED AND FIXED IN LOTS OF OTHER MINI COOPER MODEL YEARS IS SEEMINGLY AN ISSUE WITH 2010 MODELS TOO AND NEEDS TO BE CORRECTED VIA RECALL. THE SENSOR BEING FAULTY IS A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN, AND RUNS CLOSE TO $1200 TO REPAIR. MY SENSOR WAS INTERMITTENTLY OFF AND ON AND IS NOW FULL TIME WARNING ABOUT THE AIRBAG BEING OFF. THIS HAPPENS NO MATTER THE STATUS OF THE VEHICLE - AS SOON AS THE MOTOR IS RUNNING THE WARNING LIGHTS ARE LIT UP.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11378369 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Is 59 complaints a lot? They were filed between 2010 and 2025, roughly 4 a year, which is fewer than the typical model in this dataset. We do not have sales figures for this model, so treat this as a rough volume, not a rate per car on the road. Popular, high-volume models naturally collect more complaints over time.

How does it compare with other years? The 2010 has 59 complaints on file, more than the 2011 (31). That is the most of the 6 model years of the MINI Cooper S we cover. Older model years have had longer to collect complaints.